Event Planner

Marriott International - Normal, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Normal, IL

Accommodation

About the position

As the Conference and Event Manager (CEM) at Atrium Hospitality, your primary responsibility is to serve as the vital link between our clients and the hotel operations team. This role is crucial in ensuring that events are meticulously planned and executed, thereby enhancing the overall guest experience. You will manage group and event sales bookings, optimize revenue opportunities, and identify upselling possibilities, all while positively impacting our guests, fellow associates, and the local community. Your work will involve direct communication with clients to ensure that all event documents are thoroughly prepared and finalized using the tools and systems provided by the hotel. In your capacity as CEM, you will oversee the timely distribution of Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) in accordance with hotel deadlines. You will also be responsible for presenting clients with potential upgrade opportunities, collecting necessary agreements and deposits, and maintaining consistent communication regarding group arrangements. Your role will require you to partner with hotel staff for pre-and post-event meetings, ensuring client satisfaction and gathering feedback. Additionally, you will monitor guest room blocks to ensure adherence to contracts and optimize revenue opportunities, alerting clients about potential attrition charges for rooms and food & beverage if bookings or revenues are projected to fall short of the contract. You will supervise the entire client payment process, from initial deposits to the final bill, and utilize the Hotel Sales & Catering software to document interactions and attach vital documents such as BEOs, payment forms, diagrams, and agendas. Engaging with clients during on-site tours and key event moments will be essential, as will collaborating with the Director of Events and Director of Sales & Marketing in various sales activities. Regular audits of banquet checks against our sales system will be part of your responsibilities to ensure accurate revenue posting, and you will review the full bill upon event completion to ensure alignment with our group closing checklist. Your role will also involve processing commission payments, awarding brand loyalty points to meeting planners, and addressing discrepancies or issues such as group no-shows. Active participation in BEO, Group Resume, Pre-Con, Post-Con, and Group Scrub Meetings will be expected, ensuring you are always prepared to discuss the specifics of any assigned groups. This position encompasses a variety of duties that contribute to the seamless execution of events and the overall success of the hotel’s operations.

Responsibilities

• Directly communicate with clients to ensure all event documents are comprehensively prepared and finalized.
• Oversee the timely distribution of Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) in line with hotel deadlines.
• Present clients with potential upgrade opportunities, collect necessary agreements and deposits, and consistently communicate on group arrangements.
• Partner with hotel staff for pre-and post-event meetings including BEO review, guaranteeing client satisfaction and collating feedback.
• Monitor guest room blocks, ensuring contract adherence and optimizing revenue opportunities.
• Monitor guest room allocations to ensure contract compliance while capitalizing on revenue opportunities.
• Alert clients about potential attrition charges for rooms and F&B if bookings or revenues are projected to fall short of the contract.
• Supervise the entire client payment process, from initial deposits to the final bill.
• Utilize the Hotel Sales & Catering software to meticulously document interactions and attach vital documents such as BEOs, payment forms, diagrams, and agendas.
• Coordinate on-site tours and virtual client meetings.
• Be on-hand during key event moments to engage with clients, ensure all details are executed correctly, and address immediate requirements.
• Collaborate with the Director of Events and Director of Sales & Marketing in various sales activities, which include guiding site tours, promoting catering events, and managing BEO documentation.
• Regularly audit banquet checks against our sales system to ensure accurate posting of revenues, including items consumed during events.
• Review the full bill upon event completion, ensuring alignment with our group closing checklist.
• Process commission payments using the brand's commission system, award brand loyalty points to meeting planners, and address discrepancies or issues such as group no-shows.
• Actively engage in the BEO, Group Resume, Pre-Con, Post-Con and Group Scrub Meetings, always being prepared to discuss the specifics of any assigned group(s).

Requirements

• Minimum two (2) years of Conference & Event servicing experience or two (2) years in hotel Event Services, Banquet, or Group Sales or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Nice-to-haves

• Prior experience with the Group, and/or Local Social Event market segments.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or related major.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
• Demonstrated experience with industry specific sales and catering programs including Microsoft Office, Delphi.FDC (Salesforce), and/or CI/TY (Marriott), and Diagramming Tools like Social Tables.

Benefits

• Daily Pay
• Significant Travel Discounts on Marriott and/or Hilton properties
• 401k Plans
• Medical Insurance
• Other property specific benefits
• Internship programs
• Training and development opportunities.